Microfacies analysis, sedimentary environment and sequence stratigraphy of the Ilam Formation (Coniacian? - Santonian) in the northwestern part of the Abadan Plain

The Ilam Formation (Coniacian? –Santonian), is among the most important oil reservoirs of the Abadan Plain, SW Iran. Despite its reservoir significance, there is no comprehensive knowledge about the geological characteristics and factors controlling reservoir quality. In this study, the Ilam Formation is investigated using detailed core description, thin section study, and conventional petrophysical well log data to explain facies characteristics, sedimentary environment, and presenting the sequence stratigraphic framework. Accordingly, a total of 280 m of cores in four key wells from three oil fields as well as 620 thin sections were described and studied. The results of facies analysis lead to the recognition of 12 microfacies grouped in four facies belts including lagoon, shoal, shallow and deep open marine and two siliciclastic petrofacies (shales) related to brackish water and shallow lagoonal environment, which deposited in a carbonate ramp. Frequency analyses of facies associations and petrophysical well log signature indicate that the sedimentary basin was deepening to the east. Based on the identified sequence boundaries and maximum flooding surfaces, one third-order sequence in the studied interval was recognized and correlated by using the petrophysical well log data in all studied wells. The maximum flooding surfaces are discriminated by the development of deep-marine facies and also high gamma-ray responses on the well logs.